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One thing Popeye and Penny don't have to do when it comes to getting to know each other, is break the Ice.
Today however they literally did have to break the ice after last nights frost. The beautiful crisp air and clear skies continue, shortening the Winter if nothing else. Coming to me when I call them has it's advantages,
the pair gave up trying to break through the ice and chose to follow me to an ice free exit.
Meanwhile the Oyster catchers take advantage of the sun drenched soft earth in Viewfield, looking for snacks.
Just a reminder to all the young wildlife photographers out there aged 8 to 15, about the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust Wildlife Photo Competition. Spring to Summer will present many opportunities to take nice photos, it could be an insect, a bird, an animal - any local wildlife at all.
Here are some of the photos I've taken locally of smaller wildlife, but beautiful just the same.
You can enter up to 3 photo's on just one entry form which can be downloaded HERE.
It's good to see some old duck characters still on the go after quite a few years in the river. One of them I am particularly fond of is Hookie, a drake with a deformed left foot. I first noticed him in 2008, the foot is like a hook and think perhaps he was born with the deformity. He gets picked on by the other ducks, because he is different - just like most species! Nevertheless he has survived at least 7 years, and I do feed him when I see him.
Meanwhile the bantam call ducks are thriving and very bossy, they have no problem scaring off the Mallards.
Sari and Jo are also doing OK, but Jo has an injured right leg, she can still use it but has a limp, hopefully she will recover completely. This mild spell is causing a lot of excitement among the ducks, far too spring like !
The tufted ducks have now departed the river with the mild weather, what characters they are !
With the Sun shining and the pigeon recovered, It was time to let it rejoin the flock this morning. It has been back several times with the flock for some food, I am happy with such a good result. It's the light one on the bottom right.
Valentine's Day, but no Love lost here !
One of the Cygnets came back to the river this morning, only to be expelled immediately by Popeye and Penny, this generation have to make their own way in the world now !
Spring is in the air, and our resident pair won't tolerate any incomers.
The pigeon I have been treating after it's upper Mandible was pushed through it's lower mandible, is still with me. After letting it go the other day it returned to the Aviary and the other night it appeared to have respiratory difficulties. I could hear it wheezing badly with mouth open all the time, it sounded like an asthmatic in great difficulty. After consulting the avian web and my avian adviser down south I took the bird indoors into the warmth of the kitchen.
In view of the fact that the birds mouth was closed for many days the possibility that it was dehydrated and had a lung infection was very real. I made up a glucose type mixture which was water, salt, and sugar, that would help re-hydrate the bird. In addition my Avian adviser recommended Antibiotics tubed into the crop for any lung infection. After 3 days treatment the pigeon has ceased wheezing and is happily eating and recovering well. (short vid below)
The downside, is the kitchen is a mess with bird seed everywhere, but it's happy flying from kitchen unit to unit and looking good. I should be able to release it within a day or two.
Yesterday 2 young Swans looking for a nesting site tried their chances, by landing in the river near the island. Popeye and Penny wasted no time in escorting them out to Sea, it was instant Battle stations mode !
Today two new Goldeneye males arrived, no doubt following the female that showed up recently.
After 4 days of TLC and 5 star service, the sick Pigeon was given it's freedom this morning. It has been preening and the tongue infection cleared, seemed keen to join the other pigeons outside the Aviary.
I opened the Aviary door and it came out eating as it went and joined the others. However, when I returned this afternoon it was sitting alone back in the Aviary, seems like maybe too good to leave.
It's not 100% yet so it can stay as long as it needs. (short vid above)
George Berryman, one of our Trust members has sent in a few pics. The Brent geese are the ones often seen up near the Swimming baths feeding on the green rock weed.
The lone Swan was taken today and it came into the river to be escorted away by our pair. I have to say it looks very like our previous pen, it would be sad if she has never got a new mate.
Nice shots of the Robin and Turnstones George.
After yesterday's shocking sight of the injured pigeons beak, I was keen to see it's condition this morning. What joy to see it getting stuck into the grain and wild bird seed, it has been pecking away with short breaks in between - I don't think it has eaten for many days.
For the upper mandible to be driven through the lower one must have taken some impact, I can only think it must have been a collision with a car windscreen or into a window. Although still puffed up, with plenty of food and rest I am confident it will fully recover in a few days . ( short vid below )
The final parting of last years cygnets took place yesterday, it was inevitable after Popeye and Penny decided the time was right and spring is on it's way. They have been chasing the cygnets around for some time, and mostly been apart from them over the past week or two. Enclosed the last photo of cygnets taken the other day, and Popeye and Penny now enjoying each others company in isolation !
The snowdrops are out, snow is melting, hints of spring to be seen here and there.
Another casualty turned up at my door this morning, a young pigeon with a horrendous affliction. It's top mandible was crushed through it's lower mandible effectively locking it's beak shut ! It was pitiful to see this pigeon watching all the other pigeons eat and it could not, it was starving to death ! Fate seemed to have intervened for it entered my doorway and I managed to shut the door before it could escape. It was only when I picked it up I could see the horrible injury and smell the decay of it's locked mouth. I managed to force the upper mandible out of the lower one, exposing a badly infected tongue with yellow pus, the poor bird must have been really suffering. I washed it's beak and mouth with salt water, and have given it some antibiotics left over from a previous pigeon casualty.
I can only hope it is not too late for the treatment to work, the next few days will tell.
In line with The River Nairn Swans and waterfowl Trust's policy / aims, of getting the youngsters interested in wildlife. We are pleased to announce a Junior Photo Competition for the current year. This will be open to all children aged 8 to 15 years resident in the IV postcode area. There will be 3 prizes of £10 , £20 , £40, Plus all 3 will win a years free membership to the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl trust.
The rules are simple, submit any wildlife photo taken locally before July1st this year, and it will be judged by all 5 trustees at our mid July meeting. The age of the competitor will be taken into account as well as the camera type, for merit and composition etc. Maximum 3 entries per competitor. Copy the entry form below and submit it with your photo's.
With Camera's available to almost everyone these days, time to get Snapping !!
A few nights ago I was astonished to hear a bird singing away, around one in the morning. I listened for a couple of minutes and was not mistaken, it was definitely a bird. As it happens the RSPB website came out yesterday with an explanation here. I must say, this is the first time I have ever heard a Robin in the middle of a winter's night. There is plenty of street lighting, and I do have a feisty Robin in the garden.
